Customers are expected to be queueing overnight to enjoy a national records celebration day at St Albans’ vinyl shop.
For the sixth year running, Empire Records in Heritage Close is hosting Record Store Day - an annual event set up in 2008 to commemorate vinyl shops across the country.
There are special vinyl releases for the occasion, and Empire Records are opening early, from 8am, in anticipation of greater footfall.
Managers are expecting to welcome hundreds of people to the store.
They will be stocking exclusive releases from David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart, and Idles.
Sales assistant Eddie James said: “That ‘record shop spirit’ you hear so much about really shines on Record Store Day. Strangers chat for hours about their favourite music, and new friends are made.
“It really is what independent shopping is all about - community.”
He said the day would be full of “fun, friendship, and a shared passion for music”.
Mighty Boosh creators Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding have also been announced as the ambassadors for Record Store Day 2019, alongside releasing a limited edition vinyl of the complete comedy radio series.
It is the first time the surreal Zooniverse world has been available on three pieces of coloured 180g vinyl.
Previous year’s ambassadors include Sir Elton John, Run The Jewels, St Vincent, and Pearl Jam.
Empire Records manager Dave Burgess said: “If anyone has had a possible interest in collecting vinyl then this will be the best day to see what it is all about.”
He said there will be special offers running throughout the day.
The founder of Empire Records, Derek Watson, owned comic store Chaos City in 2013 when St Albans’ HMV closed down and opened a gap in the market.
Film lovers may recognise the shop’s name - it was coined after Derek’s favourite film of the same title.
The 1995 cult classic Empire Records tells the story of a small independent trying to fight against a malicious takeover.
Since Derek’s passing in 2015, his partner Marina DeSclavis and former HMV manager Dave Burgess have run the shop.
Record Store Day 2019 takes place on April 13. Empire Records will open from 8am to 5.30pm.
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